Ashen Dragon

[Dragonsworn Holy Warrior] was a faction subclass derived from the paladin, naturally requiring an oath like that of a paladin to wield holy oath magic.

[Create an oath for the faction subclass.]

Cassius pondered for a moment, considering the specific conditions of the Ashen Kingdom, and created a new oath based on the Oath of Conquest.

Flames danced wildly in the air, forming lines of chaotic text—

[Dragon's Creed]

Paladins who took the oath of Dragon's Creed would brand the creed onto their upper arms.

Extinguish the flame of hope: Defeating the enemy in battle alone was insufficient. Your overwhelming victory must be significant enough to permanently shatter the enemy's will to fight. Swords could only end lives, but fear could end nations.

Enforce order with an iron fist: Once you completed the conquest, tolerate no dissent. Those who adhered to the kingdom's order would be favored and become the esteemed ones, while those who opposed it would be punished and turned to ashes as a warning to others.

The Dragon Lord above all: Cassius Klaubow Norixius was your sole master of blood, spirit, and even soul. You must unconditionally obey the commands of the Red Dragon until the end of time, or face total annihilation.

Cassius commanded:

"Speak your oath."

"Yes, Master."

Frederick knelt on one knee, looking up at the words floating mid-air, suddenly recalling the moment twelve years ago when he swore to become a Lionheart Knight.

At that time, the energetic Duke Leo had just accomplished the great feat of forming the Lionheart Alliance, proudly placing his sword on Frederick's shoulder, conferring upon him the supreme glory of the Lionheart Knight.

But now, things had changed; he had become a retainer of an infamous dragon who made the North tremble in fear, soon to be the claw of the Red Dragon in its conquest of the world.

However, Frederick felt only a sense of irony and no complex emotions. After confronting his true self, he realized he was always a self-serving individual, never the knight that Tarik had hoped for.

He calmly recited the oath:

"Extinguish the flame of hope, enforce order with an iron fist, the Dragon Lord above all."

As the words formed from flames embedded themselves in his upper arm, they left behind charred marks glowing with fire.

"Very good."

The Red Dragon pressed its sharp claw tip against Frederick's arm, piercing the skin before exerting any force. Blood seeped from where the claw touched.

The blood caused the oath on Frederick's arm to gleam with fire.

It connected with the Red Dragon's power, forming a bond with the dragon's magic essence, ultimately creating unique holy oath magic.

Thus was the effect of the [Dragon's Oath].

The faction subclass was completed.

[Dragonsworn Holy Warrior]:

[The Dragonsworn Holy Warriors were a special group of paladins who sought powerful strength, eternal life, or reveled in warfare and conquest, yearning for the baptism of blood and fire. Yet they all shared a common allegiance to the master of the Ashen Kingdom, the Red Dragon Cassius.

The Dragonsworn Holy Warriors abandoned their former sense of justice, adorning their armor with the spoils taken from fallen enemies, and bestowing the cruelest deaths by fire to foes as a dreadful warning to any who dared defy their Dragon Lord's decree.

Unlike typical paladin oaths, those who broke their oaths would not become Oathbreakers but would instead burn alive in both body and soul, dying in the most excruciating manner.

When the Dragon's Roar echoed across the land, the Dragonsworn Holy Warriors would march from the horizon, mercilessly delivering the most brutal fates to enemies, sacrificing blood to their Dragon Lord.]

[In addition to the basic abilities of paladins, [Dragonsworn Holy Warriors] would gain additional traits]

[At level 3, they would acquire traits: [Dragon Oath Spells], [Guiding Dragon Force: Majesty of the Dragonkin], and [Guiding Dragon Force: Dragon Vein Connection]]

[Majesty of the Dragonkin]: You could use your Guiding Dragon Force to exhibit a terrifying majesty. If the enemy failed to resist, they would experience a minute of Dread Tremors.

[Dragon Vein Connection]: You could use your Guiding Dragon Force to create Dragon Vein Shackles, linking with other Dragonsworn Holy Warriors. You would share all received damage, and whenever damage was inflicted, the Dragon Vein Shackles would emit flame, continuously scorching nearby enemies.

[At level 6, you would gain the trait from your holy oath: [Dragon Lord's Descent]]

[Dragon Lord's Descent]

If twelve or more Dragonsworn Holy Warriors simultaneously chanted the Dragon Sanctuary Holy Oath, they could summon a fiery phantom of a Red Dragon that could embody Cassius's will. The phantom's appearance and abilities were replicas of Cassius, determined by the number and strength of the chanting Dragonsworn Holy Warriors, with the maximum being Cassius's true form.

[At level 9, you would gain the trait bestowed by your holy oath: [Fiery Spirit Light]]

[Fiery Spirit Light]

You would constantly emit a Fiery Spirit Light as long as you were not incapacitated. This light would significantly raise the surrounding temperature, increase flame damage, place enemies in a burn state, and provide an exaltation effect to allies. If a sufficient number of Dragonsworn Holy Warriors emitted Fiery Spirit Light simultaneously, it could even trigger a volcanic eruption.

After reviewing the information about Dragonsworn Holy Warriors, Cassius exhaled a breath laced with the scent of sulfur.

"Very impressive faction subclass."

"It also seems somewhat familiar."

Cassius pondered for a moment, then commanded Frederick to use his newly obtained abilities.

"Yes, Master."

Frederick obediently complied, releasing that power.

[Guiding Dragon Force: Majesty of the Dragonkin]

A familiar Dragon's Might emanated from him, though it was much weaker compared to the Red Dragon's.

"Continue."

[Guiding Dragon Force: Dragon Vein Connection] Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire

A scarlet spiritual chain coiled around him, radiating intense heat but lacking other targets for connection.

Cassius watched the display of these abilities, narrowing his eyes, his golden slitted pupils shimmering with a strange light.

"As expected."

"This is an extension of my power."

After the creation of this faction subclass, Cassius felt his power had gained a certain extension, able to transmit through bloodline connections to these Dragonsworn Holy Warriors.

Each time Frederick used the Dragon Sanctuary Holy Oath spells, Cassius could feel the presence of this power.

It was not a theft of his own power but an extension and manifestation of the Red Dragon's potent magic essence.

"This form somewhat resembles..."

"Divine Arts?"

Cassius thought.

Yet deities still seemed too distant; he was presently more thrilled by the birth of another powerful faction subclass, a new significant aid for the Ashen Kingdom.

"Frederick, I command you to construct the Hall of Dragon Oath in Northwind Castle and quickly train more Dragonsworn Holy Warriors."

"Yes, Master."

Frederick knelt on one knee, gladly accepting the order.